Chapter Twenty-Two
Evangeline
Coleand I have spent every day together working on this case and then class on Wednesday night too. Now it’s Thursday, and I’m not finding it a coincidence that we both have tickets to see Shinedown. Our paths seem to be aligning more than I normally like, but in this case, it’s hard to fight fate.
I was going with a group of friends, but when Cole offered to take me to dinner first, it was hard to turn down. He’s been the perfect gentleman this entire time. He’s only kissed me a few times, but they were simple and sweet kisses goodbye. He hasn’t tried to sleep with me or get me to stay at his apartment.
He says he really wants to get to know me, and I’ll admit, I’m starting to fall for him, but I’m not sure I want to. I don’t do relationships, and I need to make sure he knows that.
After work, we go our separate ways to get ready for the concert, but he’s supposed to pick me up at seven. And right on time, my doorbell rings like a chime to start a boxing match. I take a deep breath and walk to the door, ready to set the record straight.
And then I see him.Fuck me.Those stupid glasses are sexy, and he’s wearing those jeans again, but now his hair is styled messy, and the cheesy grin on his face is too much.
“You ready?” he asks.
I turn to grab my purse and walk out without saying anything.
“Nice ass,” he says while appraising my outfit.
I went with my leggings with earphones on them and an oversized shirt that barely covers my backside, showing off the very bottom.
He leans in, pushing me against the wall and grabbing me, lifting me up in the air where I instantly wrap my legs around him. For a second, I’m lost in his touch, then his kiss, and before I can push him away, he puts me down.
“Just wanted to make sure you still tasted the same.” He wipes his mouth and grabs my hand. “Yup. Still pretty fucking amazing. Now let’s go.”
I trip over myself as I close the door and follow after him like a lost puppy. His kiss caught me by surprise, and now I’m kicking myself that I fell into it without any hesitation.
* * *
Dinner wasas casual as our days have been, and thankfully, he hasn’t tried anything that would make this feel like more of a date than it is. My mind is playing tricks on me, and my not-so-smart side is totally okay acting like nothing’s happening between us.
If I ignore it, it will go away, right?
The concert is at the Warfield, and both of our tickets are general admission, so we don’t have to worry about not sitting with each other. My friends text me to say they’re already there, and I can’t believe I didn’t think about the fact they might meet Cole. Concern over how I should introduce him starts to turn in my stomach. Do I say he’s my friend, my teacher, my co-worker, the guy I met at a sex club?
Even I laugh at the crazy way our lives have intertwined so drastically.Damn you, fate.
Once we enter the venue, I don’t make an effort to connect with them, and instead, Cole grabs us some drinks, and we claim our spot toward the front of the stage.
The group of friends I attend concerts with is always fun, but they never like to get up close. Fear of the moshpits keep them near the back, so it’s nothing new for me to be upfront and them in the back. I look over as the opening band begins, and the excitement of the music washes over Cole’s face. Music is my happy place and seeing him with the same vibe makes my heart sing.
Damn you, fate.
He looks at me before throwing his hands up in the air and dancing to the beat.
We spend the night, singing at the top of our lungs, dancing and bouncing around like we don’t have a care in the world.
It’s prefect.
Afterward, our voices are rough and our bodies sweaty as we make our way to his car. When we arrive at my place, he doesn’t ask but instead simply parks his car and opens his door like he’s home for the night and we’ve done this a thousand times before.
When we get to my front door, I turn to him. “What? You think you can just invite yourself in?” I tease but am serious as well.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” He holds up his hands in defense.
I let out a deep sigh, not sure what to do with this.
“Hey, don’t. I get it,” he says. “Just because I’ve already gotten to fuck you doesn’t mean I expect it now. We’re doing things backward, and I’m okay with that. I got to fuck you when it was just sex, and now, I want to earn the chance to sleep with you when it’s more than that.”
“But what about the club on Saturday?”
He lets out a laugh. “Oh, that’s still just fucking and believe me, I’m going to make up for this past week of being near you and not being able to have you. This.” He pauses and looks around. “This is different.”
“Thank you, Cole.” I lean up to kiss his cheek.
He turns to walk away, but when he reaches my sidewalk, he turns back to me. “I’ll earn it, too. I promise you that.” He winks, and I laugh in response, watching him turn back around and hop in his car.
